1. Peak District National Park

Britain’s first National Park sits between Manchester and Sheffield and is home to nearly 200 square miles of land for walkers to peruse. Rock climbers should visit Stanage Edge; a long path with a rocky edge perfect for climbing, which is also popular with walkers. Scrambling and bouldering are other common activities in these rocky areas, alongside caving.

Cycling is perhaps underrated here, but there are plenty of trails to get you started. The Monsal Trail is often cited as one of the top cycle routes in the UK, so hiring a bike or bringing your own is a must. There are plenty of places to hire bikes in and around the Peak District, and many cycle hire centres are near bus routes so you can have a ‘van-free day if you wish. Off-road cycle routes like the High Peak and Tissington Trails are also popular if you’re up for more of a challenge.

Find more things to do and places to stay in the Peak District.

Where to stay: Castleton Club campsite
Official website: peakdistrict.gov.uk

2. Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms is Britain’s largest National Park, coming in at twice the size of the Lake District National Park. With four out of five of the highest mountains in the UK and some of the biggest native forests, the wonder of the great outdoors will hit the second you arrive. The area has been described as a ‘natural playground’, owing to the contrast of the dramatic mountain landscapes and flat open plains.

The varied landscape allows for a wide range of activities, such as hillwalking, climbing, golfing and cycling as well as skiing in the winter. Wildlife conservation is particularly important in the Cairngorms, and while you can see wildlife all over Scotland, some of Britain’s most endangered species call the Cairngorms National Park home.

Where to stay: Forfar Lochside Club campsite
Official website: cairngorms.co.uk

3. South Downs National Park

The South Downs are famed for the white cliffs at Seven Sisters, however there is so much more to this National Park than just the southernmost tip. With more walking routes here than in any other National Park in the UK, it’s not difficult to see why so many people flock to the South Downs. Footpaths, bridleways and byways reach a combined 3,300km, which you may well need more than one long weekend to fully explore. A full list of the South Downs’ walking trails can be found on their website and includes a walk ‘in the footsteps’ of one of Britain’s best-loved painters, Ivon Hitchens.

Where to stay: Morn Hill Club campsite
Official website: southdowns.gov.uk

4. Lake District National Park

With gorgeous views, an (unsurprising) abundance of lakes and plenty of activities to immerse yourself in, the Lake District makes a great getaway. The National Park is England’s largest and is home to its highest mountain (Scafell Pike) and deepest lake (Wastwater). The park has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, from rock climbing in Kendall to boating in Coniston. Take in the views from up high at Go Ape, which has courses in both Hawkshead and Winlatter, or try the canopy tours at Treetop Trek which overlooks Lake Windermere. 

The Lake District’s hiking trails offer plenty to both novices and experts, so there will be something to challenge you no matter what your abilities. You could also go hiking with a guide, which is often completely free and allows you to explore like a local.

Where to stay: Coniston Park Coppice Club campsite
Official website: lakedistrict.gov.uk

5. Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park offers everything from abseiling and rock climbing to gorge walking, which is particularly popular around Dinas Rock just south of the park. Of course, you can also explore the many trails and lakes in the area too. For a real adventure, explore the underground caverns of the National Showcaves. 

By night, Brecon Beacons National Park turns into a haven for stargazers. The park is home to an International Dark-Sky Reserve, where there is a huge effort to reduce light pollution in the area. The Usk and Cray Reservoirs are good places to start for stargazers and are both towards the west of Brecon Beacons. On a clear night, it is possible to see the Milky Way, bright nebulae and sometimes even meteor showers. Whilst not as common, it is also possible to see the Northern Lights from the Brecon Beacons on rare occasions.

Stay at: Brecon Beacons Club campsite
Official website: breconbeacons.org

6. Snowdonia National Park

With nine mountain ranges covering just over half of the park, Snowdonia’s landscape is certainly varied. Picturesque villages, sandy beaches and steep river gorges are just a few of the natural wonders that lie here. The variety allows for many different activities; hiking is particularly popular though as Mount Snowdon is part of both the Three Peaks Challenge and the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.

Adrenaline junkies should visit Zip World in Bangor. Just northwest of the National Park, it is home to the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe; Velocity. Alternatively, take a gorge walking tour which will have you weaving and jumping through rocky areas of the National Park.

Discover more things to do in Snowdonia National Park 

Where to stay: Coed-Y-Llyn Club campsite
Official website: eryri-npa.gov.uk

7. Dartmoor National Park

As the only National Park in England to allow wild camping, Dartmoor is a must for budding campers. There are rules - campers must bring lightweight camping equipment and pitch sensibly and discreetly (no campervans or motorhomes, unfortunately!) - but if you fancy a weekend under the stars, Dartmoor has your back. Of course, there’s more to Dartmoor than camping, and walking, horse riding, bouldering and letterboxing on 450 miles of paths, tracks and open moorland are all popular here.

Heritage Trails are popular in Dartmoor, making it easy to learn about the history and wildlife of the area whilst either creating your own route or following those set by others. Bronze Age archaeology is hugely important here, as the area contains over 8,000 historic features which link to human activity in Dartmoor for over 3,550 years. If you fancy digging up some archaeological discoveries on your next long weekend, there’s no doubt you should be making your way to Dartmoor.

Where to stay: Stover Club campsite
Official website: dartmoor.gov.uk

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